MADISON, Wis.—The UW System announced today that two additional universities have now attained a 70 percent vaccination rate among students: UW Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater.
“Thanks to the students and all the university employees at UW Oshkosh and UW-Whitewater for helping us reach this goal,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “Like me, they want to make our universities healthy and safe, and I know they have worked tirelessly to make today’s announcement possible.”
UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Milwaukee reached the 70 percent threshold earlier this month. UW-Madison, which is running its own vaccination campaign, has a student vaccination rate over 90 percent.
The UW System provides vaccination rates for all universities weekly.
Given the success of the ongoing campaign, the University of Wisconsin System will be extending by two weeks the deadline for its Vax Up! “70 for 70” campaign to encourage students to become vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. The new deadline is October 31, 2021.
“Extending the deadline as our vaccination rates grow will afford more students the opportunity to participate, as getting two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine requires students to act sooner than later to complete the series,” said Thompson. “Our priority is to make our universities healthy and safe, so we can deliver the college experience students deserve and parents expect. High vaccination rates are key to our success.”
Under the UW System’s “70 for 70” campaign, fully vaccinated students who attend universities that reach the 70 percent threshold, based on fall 2020 full-time-equivalent enrollment and excluding students studying only online, are eligible to win one of 70 scholarships valued at $7,000.
The University of Wisconsin System serves approximately 165,000 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, the UW System is Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after earning a degree. The UW System provides a 23:1 return on state investment. UW System institutions also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy.